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New Bill Would Put Gun In Every School

(INDIANAPOLIS) - A loaded weapon in every school is the message of a measure recently passed in Vigo County.

Now, it could be required in every public school in the state.

Following the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, every school district's number one priority has been how to prevent that tragedy from happening to them.

Tuesday, a house committee passed a measure 9-3 that would put an armed employee in every school. Under this measure, that employee could be a teacher.

Each school would have the choice whether to arm a staff member, or hire a police officer.

Either way, the person would be required to undergo training set by a new statewide board.

To cover the cost, schools could apply for up to $35,000 in state grants. Indiana has around $10 million set aside to pay for such measures.

Representative Jim Lucas who came up to the bill said it's all about stopping our schools from being defenseless.

"We can put all the laws on the books that we want," said Representative Lucas, a Republican from Seymour, Indiana. "People that are dedicated to doing this don't obey laws, so the only thing that's going to stop a bad person with a gun is a good person with a gun."

Local representative Clyde Kersey had this to say about the new amendment.

"I think we need more security in the schools but it's got to be trained, enforced personnel; people who are trained in the area of enforcement, and know how to handle a situation," said representative Kersey, a Democrat from Terre Haute, "but arming teachers, I'm totally opposed to that."

The bill now goes to the entire house for approval. Representative Lucas said they will likely take up that measure this week.

If approved by the House, Senate, and Governor Pence, the law would be put in place in January of 2014.

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